Middle, high school city students to receive email accounts

Published: Monday, March 11, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 8, 2013 at 3:12 p.m.

Lexington City Schools will launch student email accounts this week to middle and high school students.

Nathan Craver, director of technology, shared with the board of education last week information on the new form of communication for the system. A year ago, Craver addressed the board about setting up email for sixth-graders to seniors.

"It's another way to get information out," Craver said.

There are several purposes for the email set-up — to increase communication between students, parents and staff; provide a safe environment for the community; and address the digital citizen curriculum.

Rick Kriesky, superintendent of Lexington City Schools, said a completely different world exists compared to not only 15 years ago, but just five years ago.

"The electronic media is part of our children's life. If we don't capture it, we're missing a huge opportunity," said

A big factor for setting up the accounts was ensuring students were safe. For example, middle-school students will only be able to communicate with their grade level and school personnel through the accounts. The high-schoolers will have a little more freedom to communicate with staff and all students.

Craver noted that parents will have access to the passwords and will be able to see whatever information the system or teachers may send out to students. That can range from homework, class assignments or information a teacher may need to send out after school hours.

Craver also mentioned they have a strong filter that will protect students against profanity, bullying and pornography. Whenever there's an issue with an email, the filter will flag it and intercept any suspicious emails. Information will be sent to Craver, and he will take the information to the appropriate administrator. He even said they will have access to every email sent for up to seven years.

"We're providing resources for students to use properly," Craver said.

Unlike other email accounts, there will be no advertisements coming through for students to see unless the system allows it. Craven noted there will be no outside emails allowed to come in either.

Kriesky said everything is set up carefully to protect the students.

"It's just one more avenue we're trying to open up, not only between students and teachers, but also that parent-teacher relationship," he said.

Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.

<p>Lexington City Schools will launch student email accounts this week to middle and high school students.</p><p>Nathan Craver, director of technology, shared with the board of education last week information on the new form of communication for the system. A year ago, Craver addressed the board about setting up email for sixth-graders to seniors.</p><p>"It's another way to get information out," Craver said.</p><p>There are several purposes for the email set-up — to increase communication between students, parents and staff; provide a safe environment for the community; and address the digital citizen curriculum.</p><p>Rick Kriesky, superintendent of Lexington City Schools, said a completely different world exists compared to not only 15 years ago, but just five years ago.</p><p>"The electronic media is part of our children's life. If we don't capture it, we're missing a huge opportunity," said </p><p>A big factor for setting up the accounts was ensuring students were safe. For example, middle-school students will only be able to communicate with their grade level and school personnel through the accounts. The high-schoolers will have a little more freedom to communicate with staff and all students.</p><p>Craver noted that parents will have access to the passwords and will be able to see whatever information the system or teachers may send out to students. That can range from homework, class assignments or information a teacher may need to send out after school hours. </p><p>Craver also mentioned they have a strong filter that will protect students against profanity, bullying and pornography. Whenever there's an issue with an email, the filter will flag it and intercept any suspicious emails. Information will be sent to Craver, and he will take the information to the appropriate administrator. He even said they will have access to every email sent for up to seven years.</p><p>"We're providing resources for students to use properly," Craver said.</p><p>Unlike other email accounts, there will be no advertisements coming through for students to see unless the system allows it. Craven noted there will be no outside emails allowed to come in either.</p><p>Kriesky said everything is set up carefully to protect the students.</p><p>"It's just one more avenue we're trying to open up, not only between students and teachers, but also that parent-teacher relationship," he said.</p><p>Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.</p>